PhraseNinja

Yojijukugo

Japanese meaning of 隠忍自重

いんにんじちょう (innin jichou)

English Translation:

Biding one’s time in patient restraint

Meaning & Cultural Context

Meaning:

Literally “hidden endurance, self-restraint”; patiently enduring hardship and holding back from rash action.
日本語で読む
苦しみや怒りをじっとこらえて表に出さず、軽はずみな行動をつつしむこと。

Cultural Context:

隠忍 means enduring in silence, and 自重 means acting with care rather than rashly. It may be used for someone quietly waiting for the right moment, such as an athlete recovering from a long injury.
日本語で読む
「隠忍」は苦しみを表に出さずにこらえること、「自重」は軽はずみな行動をつつしむこと。けがからの復帰を待つ選手など、好機を待つ人に使うこともある。

Grammar & Learning Points

Grammar Point

• Noun phrase; often used as a verb with “する,” as in “隠忍自重する,” or as “隠忍自重の日々.”
日本語で読む
• 「〜する」「〜の日々」の形で使うことが多い。

Trap for English Speakers

自重 is read じちょう here, not じじゅう, which means a vehicle’s own weight. 隠 does not mean hiding yourself; it means keeping your feelings hidden.
日本語で読む
「自重」は車両の重さを表す「じじゅう」ではなく「じちょう」と読む。「隠」は身を隠すことではなく、気持ちを表に出さないこと。

Example

Example 1Basic Example

  1. 悔しい負けのあとも、彼は隠忍自重して練習を続けた。

    Even after a bitter defeat, he held his feelings in check and kept practicing.

Example 2Applied Example

  1. 敵に見つかりかけても、忍は隠忍自重して天井裏で息をひそめた。

    Even when the enemy nearly found him, the ninja held himself back and stayed silent in the attic.

Quick check

Meaning

What does 「隠忍自重」 mean?

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